Chapter 4 - The Villain's Satisfied Laughter
Victoria returned a few minutes later.
She was perfectly composed.
Her dress was immaculate.
Her hair was untouched.
She looked as though nothing had happened.
“Daniel.”
He turned.
“Mother.”
Victoria's gaze moved to Elena.
Then Sofia.
Then the guards.
She smiled.
“Oh, this.”
Sofia stepped forward.
“You pushed her.”
Victoria laughed.
“Don't be ridiculous.”
Elena's voice shook.
“You did.”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“Your wife is hysterical.”
Daniel remained silent.
Victoria walked toward him.
“She threatened me.”
Sofia shouted:
“That is a lie!”
Victoria ignored her.
“She lost her balance.”
Elena stared at her.
“You pushed me.”
“I barely touched you.”
“You shoved me over the railing.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you want my child.”
Victoria smiled.
“Your child?”
“My granddaughter.”
“Exactly.”
Victoria's expression changed.
“That child belongs to this family.”
Elena whispered:
“She is not property.”
Victoria laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
She looked at Daniel.
“Tell her.”
Daniel remained silent.
Victoria smiled.
“Tell your wife what happens if that child is born.”
Elena looked between them.
“What happens?”
Victoria answered.
“The family trust transfers.”
“To the baby.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means the child controls the future.”
Elena stared.
“Not you?”
“Not immediately.”
Victoria smiled.
“Which is why guardianship matters.”
Elena realized.
She couldn't breathe.
“You want custody.”
Victoria didn't deny it.
“We want stability.”
“She is the child's mother.”
“An unsuitable mother.”
Elena looked at Daniel.
“And you agree?”
He didn't answer.
That hurt more than anything.
Sofia stepped forward.
“You're both sick.”
Victoria turned.
“You're dismissed.”
“No.”
The maid stood firm.
“I saw what you did.”
Victoria's smile disappeared.
“You saw nothing.”
“I saw everything.”
Then she pointed upward.
“The camera saw it too.”
Victoria's face changed.
For the first time, she looked genuinely afraid.
“What camera?”
Sofia pointed toward Mrs. Walsh's house across the street.
“Your entrance camera.”
Victoria froze.
Elena looked at the security guard.
“Was anything recorded?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Victoria turned toward Daniel.
“We need to leave.”
Daniel looked at her.
“No.”
She froze.
“What?”
“I want to see the recording.”
Victoria stared.
“Daniel.”
“Show me.”
The guard connected the footage.
The screen showed Victoria grabbing Elena's shoulder.
Then the shove.
The moment Elena disappeared from the balcony.
The moment Sofia grabbed her.
The sound was clear.
Victoria's words.
The threats.
Everything.
Daniel watched without blinking.
When the video ended, silence filled the terrace.
He looked at his mother.
“Why?”
Victoria's expression hardened.
“Because she will destroy us.”
“No.”
“She will take everything.”
“No.”
“She will turn your daughter against us.”
Daniel looked at Elena.
Then at her stomach.
And something cold entered his eyes.
He walked toward the railing.
Elena stepped backward.
“Daniel?”
He stared at her.
Then at the rope.
His hand moved toward his jacket.
Sofia gasped.
“Don't.”
Daniel pulled out a knife.
Elena's blood turned to ice.
“Daniel?”
He looked at the rope.
Then at his mother.
May you like
Then back at Elena.
“This child cannot live.”
